The Manhattans – Biography

The Manhattans are one of those classic R&B vocal groups who managed to achieve incredible career longevity by adapting their style to fit changing times. Formed in the ’60s as a doo wop-influenced R&B quintet, The Manhattans reinvented themselves as sweet smooth soul balladeers during the ’70s. In doing so, they somehow overcame the death of lead singer George Smith, and with new frontman Gerald Alston became more popular than they’d ever been, landing an across-the-board number one hit in 1976 with Kiss and Say Goodbye. Under the leadership of Winfred “Blue” Lovett (who also composed some of the group’s biggest hits), The Manhattans survived as a viable chart act well into the ’80s, over two decades after their formation.

They even came back strong in 1980, with the single Shining Star, a song co-written by their new producer Leo Graham, which reached Top 5 on both the pop and R&B charts, went gold and won a Grammy! Their two biggest hits, Kiss and Say Goodbye and Shining Star have gone on to sell in excess of million copies around the world.